James R. May, one of the senior founding partners of the firm, received his Doctorate of Jurispurdence from the University of Houston, Bates College of Law, in 1974. He has practiced in Princeton, Bureau County, Illinois, along with his wife and partner, Mary Lynn Angel May, since 1977. Mr. May is a Vietnam veteran having served in the Army as an EOD (Explosive Ordinance Division) specialist. Has has also served as Bureau County State's Attorney, Assistant Bureau County Public Defender, President of the Bureau County Bar Association, and as a business law instructor at Northern Illinois University.
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​Mr. May primarily concentrates his practice in the filed of personal injury litigation and criminal defense. His work in the personal injury field includes accident cases, work related injuries, product liability, slip-fall cases against major corporations, and malpractice. Mr. May has litigated a multitude of cases involving automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, semi-truck related accidents and other incidents that causes serious bodily injury or death. He has argued before the Illinois Appellate Courts and the Illinois Supreme Court. He is licensed in both the Illinois and federal court systems.

In the criminal area, Mr. May, whether as prosecuting/plaintiff's attorney or defense attorney, has handled jury as well as bench trials in both felony and misdemeanor cases involving murder, drugs, sex crimes, burglary, DUI, domestic and aggravated battery, and many other criminal and traffic offenses. He is often hired as co-counsel by attorneys outside of the Bureau County area.

Mr. May's wealth of knowledge and experience as both a prosecuting/plaintiff's attorney and a defense attorney, coupled with his quick mind and years of practice, have made him an invaluable asset to this firm thereby earning for him the title of first senior partner.

Mary Lynn Angel May, one of the senior founding partners of the firm, received her Doctorate of Jurisprudence with high honors from the University of Houston, Bates College of Law, graduating Order of the Barons.  She later earned her L.L.M, an advanced degree in law, from the University of Illinois, College of Law.  Throughout her schooling, Mrs. May enjoyed many high honors and even today still enjoys her recall of an unsolicited letter from her University of Illinois antitrust professor informing her that her exam in his class was the best he had ever read.  Ironically, though she has practices in Walnut and Princeton, Bureau County, Illinois, along with her husband, James R. May, since 1977, she has never had an antitrust case walk in the door.

Intermittently for several years, Mrs. May also taught business law at Northern Illinois University. Areas taught included UCC, contracts, employment law, antitrust, labor law, constitutional law, torts, administrative law, OSHA, and employment law.  Mrs. May has served as president of the Bureau County Bar Association, and has argued before the Illinois Appellate Court, 3rd District.  Throughout her practice she has presented numerous seminars to local businesses and community groups.​​

Mrs. May primarily concentrates her practice in transactional matters within the fields of wills, trusts, estates, contracts, business and real estate.  Her experience and attention to detail, maintenance of timely contact with her clients, and sincere concern for her clients' legal matters has earned her many "thank you" notes throughout her practice.  According to her, it is truly those thank you notes that have meant so much.

Mrs. May is one of the top attorneys in the Bureau County area in relation to the real estate transactions and estate and trust administration.  Due to her knowledge, skills, and experience as a transactional attorney, she is greatly relied upon by the firm, its clients, and other counsel throughout the area.​​​​

James R. Angel was raised in Princeton, Illinois, graduating from Princeton High School in 1992.  Mr. Angel received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resource Management (minor in political science) from Northern Illinois University in 1996, where he was a member of the Sigma lota Epsilon honor society.  He then received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Iowa College of Law (Iowa City) in 2000, graduating Order of the Coif (top 10% of the class), as well as with High Distinction.

After law school, Mr. Angel was admitted to the Colorado Bar and practiced in Grand Junction, Colorado, handling employment discrimination (Title VII and Americans With Disabilities Act), personal injury, and social security disability claims, as well as appeals.  While in Colorado, in addition to winning 37 cases, Mr. Angel Successfully reversed the decisions of administrative law judges all eight times he handled and appeal, often taking over for other counsel on appeal.  Mr. Angel was also admitted to the United States District Court for the State of Colorado and the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.​​

Mr. Angel returned to Princeton, Illinois and joined the firm in 2004.  Since returning to Illinois, Mr. Angel has handled various areas of law, including probate, real estate, insurance, contracts, personal injury, criminal, social security disability, and domestic relations. Additionally, Mr. Angel has handled appeals involving various topics, including performing contract work for the Office of the State Appellate Defender on criminal appeals, as well as work for outside law firms.  Aside from his appellate work, Mr. Angel has obtained successful dismissals-summary judgments for clients at the trial court level on various matters, including construction disputes, DUI charges, premises liability, probate claims and collection actions.​​

Mr. Angel is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and a past member of the Illinois Appellate Lawyer's Association and Illinois Real Estate Lawyer's Association.  Mr. Angel has served on the Bureau County United Way Board since 2009.  Aside from hosting and organizing the BCUW's annual trivia contest, Mr. Angel regularly attends trivia nights held by various charities in the Bureau and LaSalle County area.  Mr. Angel attributes his successes, particularly with legal issues, to his commitment to active reading and learning, as well as an ability to "think outside the box".​​

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Holly M. Harris is the daughter of James R. May and Mary Lynn Angel May, founding partners of the firm. Mrs. Harris received her bachelor's degree from Illinois State University, majoring in behavioral management and learning disabilities.  She earned her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Northern Illinois University.  She also studied employment law related issues under Leona S. Green of Chicago.  Mrs. Harris formerly served as an assistant Bureau County Public Defender and is currently an Illinois certified mediator.  She is a member of the Bureau County Bar Association.

Mrs. Harris primarily concentrates her practice in family law, adoptions, wills, estate planning, probate and criminal law.  Her experience and reputation as a successful litigator, as well as her demonstrated concern and caring regarding her client's want and needs, has rapidly expanded the demand for her counsel in many areas of law, including especially dissolution of marriage and custody cases.

To help area residents and businesses be informed of their rights and duties under Illinois law, Mrs. Harris has prepared seminars in family law, employment law, estate planning and criminal law.  She is also active in the First United Methodist Church and focuses her volunteer efforts on programs for children such as Sonsational Kids, Summer Vacation School, Special Olympics, and PTO

Her successful experience as a trial attorney coupled with her quick analysis of family and custody matters, her strong family belief, her education and experience in behavioral and learning disabilities, her experience in representing and advising individuals on their rights under the Family Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and various discrimination claims areas has made Mrs. Harris an intricate and invaluable part of this firm and the community.​​​​​​​

Eric M. May is the son of James R. May and Mary Lynn Angel May, founding partners of the firm.  Mr. May received both his bachelor's degree in Business and his Doctorate of Jurisprudence with honors from the University of Illinois.  Mr. May's decision to practice law was influenced by his former employment as a defined contribution analyst for Hewitt Associates, a human resource consulting firm, as well as his congressional internship in Washington, D.C. for former U.S. Representative Jerry Well.  At the University of Illinois, May was selected by its trial advocacy team, which competes nationally, was vice-president of finance for the school's Corporate Business Law Association, and served as secretary/treasurer for its Street Law Association.  In 2008, Meyer Capel, a Professional Corporation and the largest, most diversified law firm in Champaign County, selected Mr. May from over 100 applicants for one of its 10 law clerk positions at the firm.

Since joining the firm, Mr. May concentrates his practice in criminal, traffic, personal injury, worker's compensation, medical malpractice, estates, LLC and S-Corporations.  May also serves as an assistant Bureau County Public Defender and as an Illinois certified mediator.  He is a member of the Bureau County Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.  Mr. May's ability and experience to get positive results through the pursuit of discovery, depositions, negotiations, and trial, along with his business background, have made him a valuable asset the the firm and his clients.

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